This presentation will offer an overview of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) and it will take a look at EALs definition, properties and relevant test methods. It will also explore and compare major international standards and regulatory programs that serve as the main drivers for development and adoption of EALs in the market, while using hydraulic fluids as a good example. The presentation will review international standards such as ISO (focusing on 6743/4 and ISO 15380) as well as regulations such as EU Ecolabel, Swedish Standard (focusing on 155434) and US EPA’s National Standards of Performance under VIDA – Vessel Incidental Discharges Act, expected to replace 2013 VGP – Vessel General Permit (still in effect). Different base stock options and additive technologies for formulating EALs will be also discussed with a glimpse into their advantages, disadvantages and challenges for both manufacturers and end-users.